Pacifics notes: Pearson leading team on mound, in clubhouse

As the designated ace of the San Rafael Pacifics independent minor league baseball team, it's no surprise to see Tyler Pearson at the top of the Pacific Association leaderboards, or as the league's Pitcher of the Month for June.

But Pearson, who spent last season as a player and pitching coach for the team, hasn't always had it so good.

"I worked hard after coming back from Tommy John surgery to be where I'm at," said the right-hander, who had surgery in 2011.

Pearson leads the league in wins with a 6-1 record, and is second to Maui's Jesse Smith in strikeouts (58 to Smith's 61) and Chris Waters in ERA (2.37 to Waters' 2.02).

"He's doing a phenomenal job right now," said Pacifics manager Ryan Priddy. "He goes out there every start and works his butt off."

Priddy said he usually arrives at Albert Park about six hours before game time, and Pearson is often already there, or arrives soon after.

"I think he's just really putting himself in a good mental mind-set this year just because he's around baseball all day long," Priddy said.

After taking the loss in his first start, the team's May 31 season opener against the Montezuma Federals in Arizona, Pearson's been racking up the Ws. In that 7-4 loss Pearson gave up six earned runs. In his six starts since that game he has allowed a total of seven — including zero runs over seven innings in a 8-1 win against second-place Maui on July 7.

"It's really cool to watch him do that," Priddy said. "He's just really taking advantage of the opportunity that's been given to him."

"Everyone is out here for the same reason, and that's to make it to the next level," said Pearson, who has some professional experience from a stint with the Kansas City Royals.

This season, the 28-year-old Ukiah native was the team's only returning starting pitcher.

"He kinda knows what to expect so I think that's why he's dominating the league right now," Priddy said. "I think he could be a good coach someday "... He's been pretty outspoken. He's definitely helping with the other pitchers and making our team full circle, kind of whole."

"It's sad that some of the guys didn't come back but they have to move on and the new guys have been great," Pearson said.

Starting pitching has been lights-out for the team, as the rotation is a combined 21-7 in 33 starts. Beyond that, the Pacifics (28-10) hold a 2½-game lead over Maui and until recently were undefeated at home.

"They're playing really well behind me," Pearson said. "It makes my job easier, makes it so I can go out and get strikes. It's been fun."

Admirals suspended from league

The Vallejo Admirals, who were created before the season as a replacement for the travel-only Sonoma Grapes, have been suspended indefinitely by the Pacific Association, the league announced Thursday.

Any Admirals game played during the suspension, which went into effect on Monday, will not be sanctioned and will not count towards Pacific Association standings or statistics.

The team can be reinstated to the league once it has "fully paid all its current and past players, coaches, employees and umpires; brought its stadium rent current; and presented satisfactory proof to the league that it could and would operate the franchise in accordance with the Pacific Association's operating agreement and by-laws to assure the team's capacity to operate through the end of the 2013 season," according to a statement released by the league.

The Pacifics will most likely fill the vacated space in its schedule with more games against the newest member to the league, the East Bay Lumberjacks.